E-RATE 2020:TOP FIVE REASONS TO PARTNER WITH VECTOR USA

VectorUSA knows the

K-12 environment. We

understand the myriad

and diverse challenges

facing administrators,

teachers and students.

Find out how we

can help.

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E-RATE 2020: TOP FIVE REASONS TO PARTNER WITH VECTOR USA

The convergence of IT has changed the way students learn. Educational institutions need to respond quickly to increasing demands from students and faculty, while coping with fixed or declining budgets and staff. Maintaining safe buildings and grounds while keeping the network secure is critical for today’s school districts.

Leveraging technology in the education sector can have dramatic results in improved communications and delivery of education, streamlined operations, and reduced costs. By making the network a platform that can deliver tools and processes, the school or district becomes more efficient and more accessible.

VectorUSA has 19 years of experience with E-Rate projects. In this guide we explain the top five reasons to partner with us.

1. We have the experience2. We have the expertise and credentials3. We understand the K-12 environment4. We are vendor-neutral5. We have the resources.

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E-RATE 2020: TOP FIVE REASONS TO PARTNER WITH VECTOR USA

1. WE HAVE THE EXPERIENCE

We have been engaged with E-Rate projects since 2000. Nineteen years later, we have worked with over 240 K-12 school districts, successfully completing over $500 million of E-Rate funded projects, on time and on budget. During our 30 years of business, VectorUSA has installed more than 17.8 Million feet of cable, 1.95 Million feet of fiber, 9,800 switches and 30,200 access points.

The Universal

Service Schools and

Libraries Program –

commonly known as

the E-Rate program

– provides discounts

to assist eligible

schools and libraries

to obtain affordable

LAN/WAN services,

internet access and

telecommunications

services. Voice is

no longer eligible.

KEEPING UP WITH TECHNOLOGY TRENDSArtificial Intelligence. Today, machine or deep learning is mostly used for video analytics, but over time it will become a common tool for software engineers and will be included in many different environments and devices.

Cloud and Edge computing. Cloud computing is based on the centralized computing in one or many data centers. Edge computing puts more data processing at the ‘edge’ of the network, close to where the data is collected by the sensor and before it is transferred to the Cloud.

Personalization vs privacy. People today have been given valuable online services in exchange for knowingly or unknowingly handing over a significant amount of personal data. Ultimately, the trust between organization and its customers is becoming an increasingly important and tangible asset.

Cybersecurity. Cybersecurity will never be solved, because cybercriminals will not stop trying to find and exploit vulnerabilities. Attacks are also becoming more sophisticated at a time when the number of connected devices is increasing.

Environmental smart tech. New types of sensors can measure environmental impact, adding value to customers through efficiencies and cost savings. In turn, this will help them reach their environmental sustainability goals.

Sensor integration. Consider the range of sensors that can be combined and integrated – from thermal to motion, from atmospheric to video. The ways in which they can be combined and potential benefits are endless.

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E-RATE 2020: TOP FIVE REASONS TO PARTNER WITH VECTOR USA

In 2014, the FCC

approved the

Second E-Rate

Modernization

Order, increasing

the cap for the

program to $3.9

billion in funding

year 2015, indexed

to inflation going

forward.

10 TIPS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR E-RATE DOLLARS

1. The E-Rate program is strong. In spite of the funding available applications have declined since 2015 by 25%.

2. $3.9 Billion was available for funding year 2019. Most schools and libraries are entitled to some support.

3. Assess resources and decide who will manage your application. 56% of schools and libraries brought in outside consultants in 2017.

4. Create a tech vision for your school or library. Engage your stakeholders, take a step back, and consider the big picture.

5. 44% of applicants say their Wi-Fi network is four or more years old. More than 50% will need to upgrade their Wi-Fi in one to two years.

6. Plan and design your network to align with your vision, goal, and priorities. See where you are today and what’s needed to achieve your vision.

7. Use a competitive bidding process. 28 days of open bidding! Cost is the highest weighted factor.

8. Know the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) and mind deadlines. 44% of applicants admit to struggling with the EPC.

9. Identify matching and other funding sources. 84% of applicants report that E-Rate funds are not sufficient to meet their needs.

10. Manage the process year round. Manage deadlines and document work to stay ahead of the game and keep E-Rate funds flowing.

2. WE HAVE THE EXPERTISE

We have the expertise and credentials. We have the technical staff with all the right certifications, self-performing 99% of all the work we do – all by VectorUSA W-2 employees. We have over 350 employees, including 102 Communications technicians, 18 Wireless Engineers, 16 Network Engineers, 14 Electricians, 13 Senior Network Engineers, 6 NOC Analysts, and 4 Solutions Architects.

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E-RATE 2020: TOP FIVE REASONS TO PARTNER WITH VECTOR USA

Discounts range

from 20 to 90

percent, with

higher discounts

for high poverty

and rural schools

and libraries.

Recipients must

pay some portion

of the service

costs.

3. WE UNDERSTAND THE K-12 ENVIRONMENT

VectorUSA has a 30-year history of implementing all kinds of network integration challenges, including 19 years of E-Rate experience within the K-12 environment. We have a long history of meeting the challenges of Prevailing Wage. We are flexible, accustomed to off-shifting hours, and DOJ background checks, and our Contracts Team is well-versed in all E-Rate rules and regulations. We even have our very own in-house Director of Education Compliance to assist with understanding the USAC and SLD rules and regulations.

ENGAGING STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM

Our experience in E-Rate and education-based technology solutionsensure we will bring the unique focus and resources you need to design,build and manage your IT solution.

75% of teachers believe that digital learning content will totally replace printed textbooks within the next ten years.

54% of students have laptop or desktop computers. 51% have tablets. 45% use Interactice White Boards. And 28% have Smart Phones.

In the last two years, K-12 public school districts were reported to have at least 315 cybersecurity-related incidents.

Teachers lose an average of 17 minutes every day to social media-related classroom disruption. That is the equivalent to 86 minutes every week, adding up to over 11 days every year.

Benefits of Educational Technology: 74% of teachers reinforce and expand content. 74% motivate students to learn. 73% respond to a variety of learning methods.

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E-RATE 2020: TOP FIVE REASONS TO PARTNER WITH VECTOR USA

We combine our

services and

solutions to create

truly connected

and collaborative

educational

environments for

students, parents

and staff alike.

4. WE ARE VENDOR-NEUTRAL

Vendor-neutral partners like VectorUSA, encourage the development of competing yet compatible technology solutions, freeing clients to choose from a multitude of manufacturers without suffering a loss of functionality. Working with our best-of-breed tech partners, we provide the right solution based on business needs, risk profiles and project requirements, giving our clients the opportunity and benefit to rely on a single source for all their network integration needs.

OUR TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS

ALCATEL LUCENT – Enterprise PartnerARUBA a HPE Company – Platinum PartnerAXIS – Gold PartnerBROCADE – Premier PartnerCISCO – Gold PartnerCOMMSCOPE/TE CONNECTIVITYEAGLE EYE NETWORKS – Certifed PartnerDELLEMCFORTINET – Platinum PartnerHPE – Platinum PartnerIDENTIV – Gold PartnerISONASKEYSCANMICROSOFT – Gold PartnerMILESTONE – Gold PartnerONSSI – Platinum PartnerPALO ALTO NETWORKSPELCOPOLYCOM – Authorized PartnerSONY – Platinum PartnerVEEAM – Silver PartnerVICONVISCOUNTVMWARE – Professional Partner

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E-RATE 2020: TOP FIVE REASONS TO PARTNER WITH VECTOR USA

5. WE HAVE THE RESOURCESAs one of the premier technology solution providers in Southern California, we design, build and maintain cybersecurity, data center, wireless and managed solutions - translating business needs into technology solutions. With 30 years in business and over 1000 years of collective IT expertise, andfull-service offices in Torrance, San Diego, Rancho Cucamonga, Phoenix, and Charlotte, we have the focus and expertise to deliver -controlling the quality, the schedule and the client outcome.

An eligible school

or library identifies

services it needs

and submits

a request for

competitive

bids to the

Universal Service

Administrative

Company.

USAC posts

these requests

on its website

for vendors’

consideration.

OUR CYBERSECURITY, DATA CENTER, WIRELESS AND MANAGED SOLUTIONS,combine to create a truly connected and collaborative environment for students, parents and staff alike. And our experience in E-Rate and education-based technology ensures that we will bring the unique focus and resources you need to design, build and manage your IT solution. With a broad vendor-neutral portfolio of manufacturing partners, VectorUSA offers a range of services to help with all your IT integration needs.

Audio Visual Services Collaboration Services Data Networking Services IT Infrastructure Services Managed Services Network Security Services Physical Security Services Professional Services Server and Storage Services Wired and Wireless Services

CONTACT US TODAY

We strive to empower schools by giving educators the support, tools and

information they need to secure and protect federal funding, remain in

compliance with state and federal regulations, find and develop the perfect

staff members, and deliver the best experience possible to their students.

Find out how we can help.

Corporate Headquarters3530 Voyager StreetTorrance, CA 90503T 310.436.1000F 310.436.1060

San Diego9808 Waples StreetSan Diego, CA 92121T 858.546.1014F 858.546.1086

Inland Empire8647 Ninth StreetRancho Cucamonga, CA 91730T 909.931.1022F 844.269.9739

Phoenix4930 East Beverly RoadPhoenix, AZ 85044T 480.967.0953F 844.270.2257

Charlotte2520 Whitehall Park DrCharlotte, NC 28273T 310.436.1040

vectorusa.comGeneral Information 800.929.4516Customer Service Hotline 877.569.8800Customer Service support@vectorusa.com